I've got an unusual backsplash in my kitchen that I would like to replace.
As you can see from the picture, there's about 6" of granite tile acting as a proper backsplash, but above that it appears they installed sheetrock (flush with the surface of the tile) all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets. So the combination of the tile and the sheetrock is like an additional layer on top of the actual kitchen wall.
I guess the point of this is to give the impression that the tile backsplash is embedded into the wall? In any case, I would like to replace the backsplash with the least amount of work practical.
If it were just sheetrock, I assume I could just tile over it. If it was just tile along the bottom edge, I would remove it first. But the combination of the tile and flush sheetrock is complicating my path forward.
Am I going to have to remove the tile and the "false wall" above it? Or can I just apply the new backsplash right over the top of it?
There's close to 30 linear feet of this stuff, so removing it will be a lot of work I don't want to do if I don't absolutely have to.
Best Answer
Look on the right side of your picture. You can tell the granite and fake stucco finish is layered on the drywall.
First you will not get drywall or backboard to adhere permanently to granite so it has to go or you have to use it.
Personally I would keep the granite. Then I would scrape off all of the stucco. It might sound like a pain in the ass but its not a HUGE project - 3 or 4 hours. Then you might have to do some minor repairs to it. If anything I would just take this stuff off in chunks and skimcoat the area afterwards.
You don't need backerboard unless you want to put up a heavier stone. Drywall is fine. Just scratch it up good before hand. Throw down some tile that fits in with the granite. I would use thinset instead of mastic so that I can level out any wall issues as I go.
If you keep the stucco and put something over it you are going to have some really odd edges and it just won't look right.